Hurricane Imelda has held to early forecasts putting it on a direct course for Bermuda shortly after midnight as a Category 2 storm.

The airport remains closed today until an assessment tomorrow. Government offices closed at 1pm.

Imelda’s abrupt turn for the island came about after the close passage of Hurricane Humberto last night, which pulled the companion storm in a seldom-seen phenomenon known as the Fujiwhara effect.

As of 9pm, the Bermuda Weather Service stated that Imelda, moving east-northeast at 25mph, had reached 100 miles to the island’s west-southwest.

The trajectory puts it on course to reach Bermuda at 1am. Falling within 30 miles, the impact is considered a direct hit.

Imelda maintained winds of 100mph as of 9pm, gusting up to 120mph. The BWS expects powerful southerly winds tonight, later switching to hit the island out of the north.

The Emergency Measures Organisation said winds of 60mph or hurricane strength could start to reach Bermuda between 9pm and 10pm.

High tide came at 4.30pm, with low tide set for 11pm.

Belco at 6pm reported roughly 740 customers without electricity, the majority in Warwick

Michael Weeks, the Minister of National Security, advised residents to be off the roads by 4pm.

He added: “The public must also remain off the roads throughout Thursday until we issue an official all-clear.”

The EMO centre’s hotline, 444-1447, opened at noon to take requests for assistance with structural damage or road clearing.

All other emergencies must be reported to 911.

Mr Weeks said the Emergency Broadcast Station at 100.1FM would go live this evening to provide official updates.

He advised residents to keep a portable FM radio on hand in case of power outages. A livestream will broadcast via the news page of the government online site.

The Causeway closed at 6pm as advised, while South Road at Watch Hill Park near John Smith’s Bay closed at 5pm.

The last public bus left at 4pm. Ferries remain cancelled, and the cruise vessel Carnival Venezia has called off this week’s visit.

CedarBridge Academy in Devonshire opened its gymnasium at 4pm for emergency shelter.

The Lamb Foggo Urgent Care Centre in St David’s opened at the same time, and will remain in action for the storm’s duration.

The Bermuda Hospitals Board advised vulnerable patients with concerns about power outages, particularly oxygen-dependent clients, to seek shelter at CedarBridge Academy as a safer alternative to the emergency room, unless “urgent medical attention is required”.

The Royal Bermuda Regiment embodied 100 soldiers at 3pm at the island’s east and west, to assist with the Causeway, emergency shelters and road clearance.

Lifeguard services at public beaches remain suspended, with red high surf warnings posted. The public were advised to avoid the water, where dangerous sea conditions continue to ramp up.

The airport dump shut its doors at 1pm, with the Marsh Folly composting Facility and Tynes Bay commercial drop-off both closing at 3pm.

Schools, both public and private, are closed through Thursday. Waste collection schedules remain pushed ahead by one day.

Mr Weeks said: “I urge everyone to check on neighbours, particularly the elderly and vulnerable, and make sure they are safe.

“Please remember that preparation saves lives. Stay indoors, remain off the roads until an official announcement is made that the roads are safe and follow only official sources of information as we ride out Hurricane Imelda together.”

At 6.30pm, he added: “We are a resilient people. Bermuda has weathered many storms, and we will weather this one too.

“Let our strength be in our unity, our safety in our preparation and our hope in the calm that always follows the storm.”